Gallery boy. HONK—HONK—HONK!
Several voices. Sh'sh!
Mrs. Guildford. No ... I ... you ...
Second gallery boy. Stop that coughing there!
Injured voice. I can't 'elp coughing!
Several voices. Sh'sh!
But I'm afraid the coughing was not always the fault of the microbes but sometimes of Mr. Sutro, who seemed to be exploiting a wonderful talent for starting his Acts dully. The opening scene of the Second Act, between Mrs. Guildford and Alice Exern, was particularly tiresome. It went on a long time, and seemed when audible to be only a recapitulation of Act I. We simply had to cough.
I have said nothing of the story, for the reason that a summary of it would hardly do it justice. It is slight, and yet just strong enough to carry two or three pleasant creations and much happy dialogue. The important thing is that Sir George is on the stage most of the time, has many delightful things to say, and says them delightfully. There are also Miss Henrietta Watson, Miss Athene Seyler, and Mr. Herbert Waring, all excellent.
It remains to be said that the Two Virtues are Chastity and Charity; that Mrs. Guildford lacked (I think—but they were coughing a good deal just then) the first virtue, and the other ladies the second; and that the reclining chair in Act I. was kindly lent by—but the name of the generous fellow will be revealed to you in your programme when you go.
M.